By Neil Ravenscroft
April 15 2004

The fanzine and a local pub are honouring one of the club's greatest servants, but what can we do about our predicament? Come along on Monday to find out! On Monday 19th April at 7pm, the Royal Oak, Lord Street, Palfrey will be renaming its Smoke Room 'The Gilbert Alsop Room'. This is in honour of the record breaking Walsall FC striker.

The Room will have a large framed portrait of the man himself provided by the unofficial Walsall Fanzine, 90 Minutes From Europe. The picture will be unveiled at 7 pm, so that fans wishing to attend the Supporters Liaison Committee Focus Group Meeting, which starts in the Saddlers Club at 8pm, may do so.

We do have other reasons, however, just as important as witnessing this tribute to one of the club greats, for having as many fans as possible to attend the event. TheSaddlersFC.com is co-operating with the fanzine, 90 Minutes From Europe, the other unofficial web sites, Upthesaddlers.com and Walsall Mad, and, hopefully, the Supporters Trust, in what may be the launch of an exciting new supporters initiative.

Plans and talks for a campaign of positive support between now and the end of the season are taking shape.

With just four games to go this season, Walsall FC are still to secure their first division status. The aim of this proposed campaign is to make Bescot a cauldron of positive support and noise for our final fixtures.

Final details of this initiative will be made at the unveiling of the Gilbert Alsop room at the Royal Oak, Lord Street, Palfrey at 7pm, Monday 19th April.

This could well turn out to be one of the most important periods in the history of the football club, as, with the best will in the world, relegation to the second division might mean our current status being unachievable again, given the club’s lack of resources. The actions of Plymouth Argyle in approaching the Manager at such a crucial time cannot be helping the morale of the squad (not to mention ironic, in view of their criticisms of Southampton for doing exactly the same thing). It is incumbent on all supporters to do their bit to rectify that situation. This will be your chance.

Never mind your Country, YOUR FOOTBALL CLUB NEEDS YOU!